A few days before the full-scale invasion, Yurii’s family packed an emergency bag. Because they felt: the invasion would happen, they just didn’t know when. On the first day of the war, the family left Odesa for Khmelnytskyi, where they spent three months until the situation stabilised. Then they returned home. 

Throughout 2022, Yurii faced numerous challenges. His wife was treated for a serious illness, first in Turkey and then in the Netherlands. In 2023, his beloved passed away, and Yurii became a single father. He notes that many Ukrainians suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and this includes not only the military but also civilians. This problem is and will continue to be a challenge for society.